Olawoyin receives Rizespor Player of the Month award

Nigerian star Ibrahim Olawoyin on Wednesday received Bitexen Club Users Player of the Month award for his outstanding contributions at Turkish Club Çaykur Rizespor, www.aclsports.com reports.

Olawoyin, 25, joined Rizespor in a €1m deal in January from Turkish Division One rivals Ankara Keçiorengucu and instantly hit the ground running at his new club which has now won him the Player of the Months of January/February award.

The former Rangers International pearl went straight into the Rizespor starting lineup for their two games in January and the only game in February, contributing a goal and an assist as the club amassed seven points to mark the start of a turnaround for the promotion hopefuls.

The January/February award was presented to the disciplined footballer understandably belatedly on Wednesday afternoon before his team’s training session ahead of their league game against Pendikspor on Saturday.

The award presentation was delayed due to the devastating earthquake that rocked parts of Southern Turkey in early February and consequently led to the suspension of the league for one month.

Olawoyin plays as a winger and attacking midfielder for Çaykur Rizespor who have since experienced a new lease of life ever since the Nigerian joined the club in January alongside former U23 midfielder Okechukwu Azubuike.

Coached by former Galatasaray defender Bülent Korkmaz, Rizespor (who were sixth on the log when Olawoyin joined) are now second on the log and occupy the last automatic promotion spot, not in small part to Olawoyin’s contributions.

He has scored three goals, two assists and won a penalty kick during the period and the club are yet to experience defeat in any league game that Olawoyin stepped onto the pitch.

A win for Çaykur Rizespor against Pendikspor on Saturday could take them to within just three points of automatic qualification to the Turkish Super Lig.